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ADVISORY BOARD ON RADIATION AND WORKER HEALTH
4676 Columbia Parkway, MS: C-46
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
(513) 533-6825

CHAIRMAN:

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August 9, 2007

Paul L. Ziemer, Ph.D.
Lafayette, Indiana

MEMBERS: The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt
Josie Beach Secretary of Health and Human Services
Richland, Washington Department of Health and Human Services
Bradley P. Clawson 200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Rexburg, Idaho Washington, DC 20201
Michael H. Gibson
Franklin, Ohio Dear Mr. Secretary:
Mark A. Griffon . woe
Salem, New Hampshire The Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health (The Board) has
James E. Lockey, M.D. evaluated SEC Petition-00075 concerning workers at the Ames
Cincinnati, Ohio Laboratory in Iowa under the statutory requirements established by
James M. Melius, M.D., Ph.D. EEOICPA and incorporated into 42 CFR Sec. 83.13. The Board
Albany, New York respectfully recommends Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) status be
Wanda |. Munn accorded to all Sheet metal workers, physical plant maintenance and
Richland, Washington associated support staff (includes all maintenance shop personnel of
John W. Poston, Sr., Ph.D. Ames Laboratory). and supervisory staff who were Monitored. or
College Station, Texas should have been monitored for potential internal radiation exposures
Robert W. Presley associated with the maintenance and renovation activities of the
Clinton, Tennessee thorium production areas in Wilhelm Hall (a.k.a. the Metallurgy
Genevieve S. Roessler, Ph.D. Building or “Old” Metallurgy Building) at the Ames Laboratory. for
Elysian, Minnesota the time period from January 1, 1955 through December 31. 1970 and
Phillip Schofield who were employed for a number of work days aggregating at least
Bosque Farm, New Mexico 250 work days, either solely under this employment or in combination

with work days within the parameters (excluding aggregate work day
parameters) established for other classes of employees included in the

STAFF: SEC. The Board notes that although NIOSH found that they were
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: unable to completely reconstruct radiation doses for these employees.
Lewis V. Wade, Ph.D NIOSH believes that they are able to reconstruct components of the
Washington, DC internal dose (other than thorium) and all external doses.

COMMITTEE MANAGEMENT : This recommendation is based on the following factors:
LaShawn D. Shields

Atlanta, Georgia he OV SI SAW LON

GO-HSOIN Q3AI303Y


The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt August 9, 2007

¢ People working at the Ames Laboratory during this time period worked on maintenance
and renovation activities at the Thorium production areas at the Ames Laboratory.

e The NIOSH review of the available monitoring data as well as the available source term
and other information found that they lacked adequate information necessary to conduct
accurate individual internal dose reconstructions for thorium and its progeny during the
time period in question.

e NIOSH determined that health may have been endangered for these Ames Laboratory
workers. The Board concurs with this determination.

Enclosed is supporting documentation from the recent Advisory Board Meeting held in
Richland. Washington where this special exposure cohort class was discussed. If any of
these items are unavailable at this time, they will follow shortly.

Sincerely, ‘

Paul L. Ziemer, Ph.D.
Chairman